It seems to me that the first rule of being in power is job security, not that your comments contradict this. But your early-on emphasis on maximising profit might not be the key consideration.

Is it reasonable to suggest that the Saud Family is principally facing an existential crisis (or a percieved one, if there is any difference) at this point? So the balancing game and the swings up and down of supply offerings might be the 'dance done to prolong the dance itself'.. Or at least until some other solution presents itself.. and there one is again advised to be careful what one wishes for, in case what 'presents itself' is a geologically imposed energy-sanction.

Of course, the decisions a manager makes would ideally be based on good, detailed oilfield information, which we here lack, it seems. But to read back from the actions we see, I have to first ask whether they are guided by Adam Smith and those market economics assumptions, or if other priorities and endgames (besides 'maximise shareholder value') are at play in the decision process.. I think 'maximum profit' is a security blanket in western thought, even if it, like the 'security' of carrying a handgun, may not be as guaranteed as one wants to believe.

Bob Fiske